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11,569 See Klimenta’s Goal Lift Sacramento Late

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 06/19/16, 1:10AM EDT

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Iwasa scores twice for Republic FC in thrilling 3-2 win against Toros


Photo courtesy Sacramento Republic FC

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Emrah Klimenta scored a late winner as Sacramento Republic FC took a dramatic 3-2 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd of 11,569 fans at Bonney Field. Sacramento took the lead just 38 seconds into the contest as Cameron Iwasa drove home his fourth goal of the season with a blistering strike from 25 yards that caromed in off the right post. The Toros hit back in the 14th minute, though, as Christian Lucatero played Memo Rodriguez in for a low finish to the left corner after RGVFC held possession in the Sacramento end after a corner. Iwasa struck again eight minutes into the second half to restore Sacramento’s lead as he headed home a corner by Danny Barrera, but the Toros again hit back as Eric Bird put home a good individual effort to fire home from 15 yards with 19 minutes to go. RGVFC almost took the lead six minutes later as Kyle Murphy’s shot came back off the crossbar, but Klimanta’s goal with three minutes to go grabbed all three points for the hosts.

Scoring:
1’ – SAC – Cameron Iwasa
14’ – RGV – Memo Rodriguez (Christian Lucatero)
53’ – SAC – Cameron Iwasa (Danny Barrera)
71’ – RGV – Eric Bird
87’ – SAC – Emrah Klimenta

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. There are few players who mean as much to their team in the USL as Emrah Klimenta does to Sacramento Republic FC, which makes it only fitting that his goal provided the late winner as SRFC took three consecutive wins for the first time this season. Whether it was a cross or a shot is academic, as Klimenta did what he has done so often for the team in the past two-plus seasons, and made the difference when it counted most to provide Republic FC with a massive three points, and newly-acquired top-two spot in the Western Conference.

  • 2. The Toros resilience has been a key to their success throughout the season, and it was on display again on Saturday night as Memo Rodriguez and Eric Bird each produced good goals to get the side back on level terms after the hosts had twice gone ahead. While the side is understandably made up of predominantly young players as the Houston Dynamo’s hybrid affiliate, Coach Wilmer Cabrera has instilled a toughness into the side that has allowed it to deal well with adversity, even on a night when the result didn’t go its way.

  • 3. With some key departures this offseason, a big question for Sacramento this season was where the goals would come from this season. So far, rather than new additions, the answer has come from within. Cameron Iwasa notched his fourth and fifth goals of the season on Saturday, the opening goal setting a new mark for the fastest goal in Republic FC history, and while there remain some elements that he needs to continue to work on, Iwasa’s nose for goal is coming to the fore.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Cameron Iwasa, Sacramento Republic FC – Iwasa twice put Sacramento into the lead with a pair of fine goals, and now leads the team with five goals this season after another sharp performance in front of goal.

Upcoming Games:

Sacramento Republic FC at Arizona United SC – June 25, 10:30 p.m. ET, Peoria Sports Complex

Rio Grande Valley FC vs. Arizona United SC – June 22, 8:30 p.m. ET, UT RGV Soccer Complex

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